Library Archives

Not only did it shock the world, but last summer's massacre in Las Vegas served as a major wake up call to the hotel industry. In the months since the tragedy, we've seen major hotel chains take a renewed stance on security. In this article, we talk about the new reality for hoteliers in terms of security and the steps they can take to keep their hotels safe for employees and customers, as well as maintain a profitable business. Insurance can play a key role here as the underwriting process and regular risk control checks can uncover risk exposures related to security - exposures that can be mitigated. Read on...

On the night of October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, leaving 58 people dead and 546 injured. Instead of assigning blame for the shooting incident, more discussion should focus upon the value of 360 degree of protection and the layers of security the Mandalay Bay resort provided which altered the shooter's behavior, and minimized how much more destruction he could have unleashed. The impact of this tragedy is that although security can alter criminal behavior, even outstanding security measures, may not be able to prevent it. Read on...

Hotel facilities face a multitude of unique risks not always present in other industries. That unique set of risks creates an ever-changing demand to firm up your business operations and remain vigilant in your security and emergency response plans. With the rise of new threats constantly evolving, one of the most effective ways to protect your guests, employees, hotel operations and your facilities to is conduct a thorough risk assessment. After all, it's impossible to know the threats and vulnerabilities that affect your safety and security if you don't reasonably identify them in the first place. Read on...

This article addresses general and hotel specific business continuity management program basics including senior management buy-in, program initiation, risk assessment, Business Impact Analysis (BIA), prevention, mitigation and recovery strategies as supported in a business continuity plan. The article also differentiates between a private sector business continuity program and public sector Continuity of Operations (COOP) program. Additionally, this article discusses other critical business continuity management program components such as awareness, training, testing, ongoing program management and the importance of employee and family preparedness. Read on...

Disruptive incidents can have a significant impact on organizations and communities. Effective measures can be instituted to prevent or mitigate the effects of disruptive incidents. With respect to hotel facilities and supporting offices that may be located on or off the main hotel property, disruptive incidents can directly affect employees and impact entire hotel operations at both the macro and micro level. Well-prepared employees, those who know how to implement on-site and family emergency plans, will be the first and continued responders who will help protect life, property, reputation, profit and facilitate a more rapid return to normal operations. Read on...

Facilitating effective domestic and international law enforcement liaison is advantageous to hotel patrons, security and the parent company. Having credible and timely law enforcement and security information can save lives, protect property and help to safeguard a hotel's reputation and "bottom line". The liaison facilitated information can help determine the most efficient and effective risk management implementation measures to prevent or reduce the impact of possible threats to specific hotel locations and the company at large. This can be achieved through minimal effort and cost correlating to a high return on effort and investment. Read on...

Hotel restaurants are a main attraction for pests - from cockroaches and flies to rodents and moths. Don't let these pests have an impact on your next health inspection. Knowing which pests are most attracted to the food, water and shelter that your hotel restaurant provides for pests is the first step in preventing a pest problem. Next, find out where they are making themselves at home and how to deter their entry. Armed with this knowledge, as well as a strong relationship with a professional pest management provider, you can prevent pest infestations before they ruin your hotel restaurant's reputation. Read on...

Helpful interviewing and information gathering techniques can be vital to inquiries of significance to organizational, individual or other concerns. This article discusses information relating to successful interviewing and information gathering as well as challenges that could detract from attaining important information. Article information can be helpful, encompassing the spectrum of casual conversations to formal investigations; however, before conducting workplace interviews consult appropriate organizational representatives. Further, after reading this article, even if one is uncomfortable conducting interviews, the information provided will help in assessing the qualifications and techniques of those being considered to conduct interviews and gather information. Read on...

As with any business in the world today parking areas are a necessary and vital component that has a tendency to be underestimated as it relates to guest or employee protection. Every hotelier is aware that parking lots generate a large expense in maintenance, lighting, cleaning and the associated landscaping and accesses. Everything has a direct cost and security is no exception. Read on...

Sustainability in the hospitality industry is a hot topic that isn't going away anytime soon. One easy and often overlooked area that can help a hotel to meet sustainability requirements is to reduce the environmental impact of their pest control program. An environmentally-friendly approach to pest management is possible through an Integrated Pest Management program that uses tools and practices with minimum impact on the environment and guests. In combination with sanitation, implementing green pest control will not only make your hotel a sustainable destination, but also a more attractive hotel for your guests. Read on...

This article includes a table of corresponding global trends on crisis management directly or indirectly, impacting the hotel industry. Additionally, we explore related background information, company valuation, crisis management, trend awareness and "Black Swan" events, and methods of implementing and sustaining a global trend management program including justification, awareness, preparation and response. The article concludes with the organizational and competitive advantages of implementing an effective global trends management program. Read on...

Luxury properties are wrought with upscale amenities from lavish architecture and furnishings designed to transform your world, exotic foods and ingredients to satisfy even the most squeamish and discerning palates, rare wines and cocktails procured specifically to take guests on a euphoric journey. Even what you smell, what is in the air, has been carefully selected to entice guests to embrace the full experience and pleasure of what the hotel has to offer. Yet with no expense being spared on providing these amenities; the security and safety for guests often falls short. Read on...

The guests that rent rooms in our hotels have an expectation that the proprietor has done some form of due diligence in screening the employees who have access to their valued possessions left in a hotel room. It really does not matter to them that you may provide an in room safe, install expensive door hardware and have appropriate window stops if you have not taken the time to investigate the employees that you grant access to their personal and often treasured possessions. The hospitality industry is sometimes fragile and susceptible to large revenue losses as a result of a single negative event such as theft of valuables of a guest who just happens to be with a large convention group. Word travels quickly with these groups and meeting planners can be quite adept at researching these issues when deciding on a hotel for their convention. Read on...

The new year is just around the corner, so why not make a New Year's resolution to re-examine your current pest management program? As a best practice, take time to outline a strategy for the coming year that will help you safeguard against an infestation and protect your facility's reputation and bottom line. Learn tips on how to work with a pest management professional to avoid bad word of mouth, implement staff training and stay on top of the newest pest management treatments and technologies. Will you be prepared for pest management in 2012? Read on...

In a world where everyone is increasingly engaged with online transactional systems, it is readily apparent that the convenience afforded by live information sharing and online payment services must be balanced and underscored by a solid security framework. In the hotel sector, where card payment technology to book rooms and for actual transactions during guest stays is common, it becomes a much higher priority. Smart hoteliers can combat this risk by adhering to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Read on...

Guest Service: Empowering People

Excellent customer service is vitally important in all businesses but it is especially important for hotels where customer service is the lifeblood of the business. Outstanding customer service is essential in creating new customers, retaining existing customers, and cultivating referrals for future customers. Employees who meet and exceed guest expectations are critical to a hotel's success, and it begins with the hiring process. It is imperative for HR personnel to screen for and hire people who inherently possess customer-friendly traits - empathy, warmth and conscientiousness - which allow them to serve guests naturally and authentically. Trait-based hiring means considering more than just a candidate's technical skills and background; it means looking for and selecting employees who naturally desire to take care of people, who derive satisfaction and pleasure from fulfilling guests' needs, and who don't consider customer service to be a chore. Without the presence of these specific traits and attributes, it is difficult for an employee to provide genuine hospitality. Once that kind of employee has been hired, it is necessary to empower them. Some forward-thinking hotels empower their employees to proactively fix customer problems without having to wait for management approval. This employee empowerment—the permission to be creative, and even having the authority to spend money on a customer's behalf - is a resourceful way to resolve guest problems quickly and efficiently. When management places their faith in an employee's good judgment, it inspires a sense of trust and provides a sense of higher purpose beyond a simple paycheck. The April issue of the Hotel Business Review will document what some leading hotels are doing to cultivate and manage guest satisfaction in their operations.